Author Patry Francis was all set to gear up for the paperback release of her novel The Liary's Diary when she was struck by cancer. Several bloggers, myself included, have taken up her cause. We're all posting about Patry and her book today because Patry herself is too ill to go on a signing tour. We wish her all the best for a full recovery.
Patry's agent sent me a copy of her book for review, prior to her big blog day. Part of me worried what if I didn't like the book? I'd already agreed to blog for her before I had any idea exactly who she was. It just seemed like a nice thing to do, something that was within my power. Pay it forward for a stranger with whom I have absolutely no connection save a presumed shared love of the written word.
But I did love the book. It's about one woman's adulation of another, perfect, beautiful woman who comes into her life. Ali is a free spirit, a music teacher. Jeanne is a weary, disillusioned suburban wife whose life has lost all color. Her teenage son is troubled, and her bullying husband has worn her nerves nearly to the breaking point. At first Jeanne's annoyed by Ali, the sexy and desired woman who's the talk of the high school. But when she becomes friendly with Jeanne things start to change, and her attitude begins to shift. Life becomes more interesting,and Jeanne starts to feel a little of Ali's empowerment rubbing off on her. But things take a more sinister turn when someone starts going through Ali's house when she's not home. Then the threats start. Ali's free spirited nature has lead her to affairs that have broken up marriages in town. Someone is after her. Someone wants to make her pay.
This would be a fantastic book group choice. It's a rollercoaster ride and a real thriller of a book. Very highly recommended.
This sounds great! I'm going to recommend it to my book group and I just blogged about it here: http://www.bookclubgirl.com/book_club_girl/2008/01/ok-really-im-ba.html
Thanks for the post!
Posted by: Book Club Girl | January 31, 2008 at 08:56 PM
Sounds great! Thanks for reviewing...on the list it goes. :)
Posted by: Joy | January 30, 2008 at 10:35 AM
Thanks for sharing this. What a great idea! I'll put something up on my blog, as well.
Posted by: Lisa | January 29, 2008 at 12:26 PM
So glad you blogged today about Patry's book; what a gift it is for all of us...writers, booklovers, everyone...to be able to come together and support one another like this.
Posted by: Victoria Zackheim | January 29, 2008 at 11:35 AM